Means for operating targets on rifle-ranges.



PATENTED JULY 26, 1904.

T. MURRAY. MEANS FOR OPERATING TARGETS 0N RIFLE RANGES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1903.

H0v MODEL.

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a v g Patented July 26, 1904.

UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MURRAY, OF BUFFALO CREEK, SOUTH (i-IPPSLAND, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

MEANS FOR OPERATING TARGETS ON RIFLE-RANGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,112, dated July 26,1904.

Application filed August 3, 1903. Serial No. 168,099. (No model.)

To all whont it nmy concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs MURRAY, grazier, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Buffalo Creek, South Gippsland, in the Stateof Victoria and Commonwealth of Australia, have invented an ImprovedApparatus for Operating Targets on Rifle-Ranges, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention consists in improved apparatus for operating targets onrifle-ranges which insures the safety of the marker, requires notrenches, is simple and inexpensive, and allows of rapidity of firingand signaling of results without delay.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation ofthe apparatus with the mantlet removed, and Fig. 2 a plan of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that my apparatuscomprises two parallel rails A A, each supporting a target, both ofwhich are provided with running grooved wheels B and attached to andmoved to and fro by means of an endless rope or wire O, which passesround grooves (Z in rotatable drums or rollers D D, arranged at eachend. of the parallel rails. Each of these drums or rollers D D arepivotally supported upon strong vertical standards E E, the one E beingfixed behind the usual mantlet. (Not shown.) Near the top of thesestandards 1 attach parallel guide-wires F F, running from one to theother, which engage slots f in the upper part of the framing G of eachof the target-s H H for the purpose of maintaining them in a verticalposition and as a resistance to wind-pressure.

Around the upper end of the roller D,which is situate behind themantlet, the operating rope or ropes J J are wound, the ends of whichpass through guide-brackets K on the standard E to keep them fromfouling. It will be obvious that when the roller is rotated by one ofthese ropes the targets will move in opposite directions to each otheruntil one is behind the mantlet and the other exposed.

studs L at the bottom, over which the slotted lower edge M of the targetis dropped, while the target is secured at the top by a key and wedge N.By this arrangement any-sized target may be readily secured to theframe.

\Vhen the targets are used as moving objects, the standards are situatedat a considerable distance from each other, and said targets may takethe form of men, horses, or the like.

The endless traction-rope may be connected to the target-frame by apermanent attachment or by a gripper, which may be disconnected at will.For the purpose of taking up any slack in the endless traction-wire 0one of the drums, 1), is adjustably mounted in eyebolts O 0, whoseshanks pass through holes in the standard E and are connected together,as shown, and attached to a straining-wire P, leading to a lever R,which affords the necessary power.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is 1. Improved apparatus for operating targets onrifle-ranges comprising two parallel rails each supporting a target andframe the latter having wheels on the bottom and slots at the topengaging a guide-wire stretched between a pair of standards, one ofwhich is situated behind the mantlet an endless traction rope or wireattached to the bottom of the targets and passing around drums or rollers at either end rotated by a pair of operating ropes or chains woundaround the upper end of one of said drums situated behind the mantletsubstantially as set forth and illustrated.

2. In an apparatus for operating targets on rifle-ranges, two parallelrails, each supporting a target and frame, the frame having wheels onits bottom and slots at the top, a guide-wire fitted in the slots, anendless traction rope or wire attached to the bottom of the targets,drums or rollers to receive the The framing of the targets is providedwith l endless traction rope or wire, one of the drums or rollers beingadjustably mounted, a pair of In testimony whereof I have signed my nameoperatingchains Wound around one of the to-this specification in thepresence of two sub? drums to rotate the same and thereby operatescribing Witnesses. said endless rope or Wire, in combinationwith 5means for operating the adjustable roll to take Witnesses:

up any slack in said endless traction rope or EDWARD WATERS,

Wire.

THOMAS MURRAY.

EDWARD WATERS, J unr.

